REPORT OF MR. HILL.
69
in the Exposition, not only in bronze, but in iron. Special attention is called to this latter material, because its management has become so well understood in its application to this purpose, that it produces as clear and fine-surfaced castings as bronze, and in this way good works of art can be cheaply supplied.
The rooms of the fine-art buildings, many as they were, were always filled with crowds of people. The number of visitors here was the best evidence of the general interest taken in Europe in the arts. The report which we have caused to be prepared, to present with this, will say all that is necessary on this point.
These few lines have been devoted to a description of the art-manufactures exhibited at Vienna, not for the purpose of attempting to give any idea of their artistic merit, nor of their extent, but only to show how great a degree of attention is now given abroad to this form of industry.
Both governments and people there are exerting themselves to extend and improve the popular taste for art, and to elevate the artistic character of their national productions. To this end they are encouraging their museums and schools of art, and the general introduction of drawing in their public schools. The influence of the Kensington Museum upon the taste and the artistic character of the English manufacturers cannot be overstated, and the wonderful advance they have made between the Paris Exposition and that of the present year, is largely due to its teachings. Among other modes of instruction, it makes appropriate collections of works of art, and sends them out into the different manufacturing districts, there to remain for several months, open to the free inspection of all who wish to study them. On the Continent, also, those interested speak in the highest terms of the influence of their museums and art-schools in improving the general taste. One of the most noticeable things about the art-manufactures m the Exposition, was the number of beautiful and characteristic objects which were bought for these different European
museums.
This is not the place to discuss the propriety of encourag- ln g art in comparison with merely mechanical labor, nor to